For Over 170 Years, Vitality Has Flowed Naturally
An age-old spring, a bold visionary and a brand that has become a symbol of vitality around the world. For over 170 years, the story of VITTEL® has been shaped by respect for the natural heritage of the Vosges region and constant innovation. From Louis Bouloumié's development of the spring and its transformation into a spa resort, to the launch of our sports cap and the transition towards incorporating recycled materials into our bottles excluding the cap and label, and excluding the cap, spout, label and handle for VITTEL® 6L—each milestone reflects our commitment to offering exceptional water as a source of everyday well-being. A rich heritage, nurtured by nature and driven by a vision firmly focused on the future.
Antiquity: Ancient Origins
The VITTEL® spring is far from new. As early as Antiquity, Gallo-Roman structures and pools could be found in the Vittel area. According to local legend, the name VITTEL® is said to come from the Roman Emperor Vitellius, who reportedly visited the springs to seek relief from gout.
1854: The (Re)discovery of a Spring with Remarkable Properties
Louis Bouloumié, a lawyer experiencing digestive discomfort, was visiting the surrounding spa area when he heard about the VITTEL® spring.. Having experienced the benefits of the water, he decided to purchase the meadow where Grande Source emerged, then known as the Géremoy fountain. After being authorised to operate the spring, Louis Bouloumié founded the Vittel spa resort. Initially, it consisted of a simple wooden hut housing Grande Source and the bathing facilities. The spa water began to be bottled in 1855. In 1857, Louis Bouloumié offered his water in square stoneware bottles with porcelain stoppers.
1860: The Golden Age of Spa Resorts
Spa treatments were at the height of their popularity. Louis Bouloumié's spa establishment expanded, with the construction of a hotel and the landscaping of a park. It quickly became renowned in France and abroad, thanks to contributions from many prominent doctors, architects and artists. In 1869, Louis Bouloumié handed over to his sons: Pierre, a military doctor who refined hydrotherapy techniques, and Ambroise, who, like his father, was a lawyer and would later become mayor of Vittel. Together, they developed the resort.
1882: Through the Vision of Charles Garnier
The mineral water company “Société Générale des Eaux Minérales de VITTEL®” (SGEMV) was established. One year earlier, the opening of the Longes–Vittel–Nancy railway line had made Vittel more accessible and increased the number of spa visitors. The renowned architect Charles Garnier was commissioned to revitalise the resort by renovating the covered walkways and building new thermal baths, the Grand Hôtel, the Casino and concert halls.
1898: International Recognition
The Bouloumié sons came up with the idea of expanding sales of Grande Source VITTEL® mineral water in glass bottles, allowing people to continue enjoying the benefits of VITTEL® water at home. The first million bottles were celebrated in June 1898. At that time, VITTEL® Grande Source water was popularly believed to offer soothing benefits for joint discomfort.Five years later, VITTEL® Grande Source water was officially recognised as being of public interest by the French Academy of Medicine. From then on, the spa resort enjoyed an international reputation. An industrial bottling facility made it possible to produce more than three million bottles and large containers of Grande Source water.
1929: Making VITTEL® Natural Mineral Water Accessible to Everyone
Jean, Ambroise's son and a doctor by profession, succeeded his father. As sales of VITTEL® natural mineral water continued to grow, he had a modern bottling plant built with a direct connection to the railway station. VITTEL® was then marketed as water for everyday consumption, expanding beyond its traditional association with the spa experience.
1968: VITTEL® Takes to the Skies
At the request of Air France, VITTEL® designed a plastic bottle for passengers' meal trays. Plastic bottles replaced glass bottles and moved from pharmacy shelves into supermarkets. A few years later, to meet growing international demand, a second spring was identified at the heart of the Vittel hydro-mineral basin, in a deeper aquifer. This was VITTEL® Bonne Source water, recognised as natural mineral water in 1990 and authorised for bottling in 1991 for markets outside France.
1994: The Bottle Becomes Recyclable, Durable and Sporty
PVC was phased out of bottles and replaced by PET. This plastic is fully recyclable, stronger and transparent. Four years later, VITTEL® launched a new 75cl bottle featuring a sports cap. Hikers and sports enthusiasts embraced it immediately. Today, VITTEL® bottles from 33cl to 1.5L are fully recyclable, excluding the cap and label.
2008: Sport Takes Centre Stage
VITTEL® became a partner of the Tour de France™, a world-renowned sporting event. The natural mineral water brand shares the values of togetherness embodied by the Tour and distributes nearly one million bottles at the event each year. The same decade also marked VITTEL®'s involvement with the Paris Marathon, which the brand partnered with for more than ten years.
2019: The Plastic Revolution
VITTEL® has been a pioneering brand in the use of recycled materials: it was the first brand in France to offer one of its bottle formats—the 75cl bottle—made from 100% recycled materials, excluding the cap and label. Find out more on the dedicated page of our website.
2023: The Practical, Family-Friendly and More Responsible 6L Format
Designed for everyday use, the new VITTEL® 6L format is ideal for the whole family. It reduces the amount of plastic used per litre by 20%¹. This format reflects VITTEL®'s commitment to a more sustainable lifestyle, without compromising on convenience.
1 Compared with a pack of six 1L VITTEL® bottles.